Some real journalists also get 'envelopes'

Some real journalists also get 'envelopes'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Today, the word amplop (envelope) in Indonesia also implies a
bribe.

It is public knowledge that some journalists ask for or would
not refuse cash or presents from news sources. Such press people
are called amplop journalists.

The cash or gifts come from either politicians, businessmen or
government officials who expect the press to boost their
popularity, attack their opponents or cancel the publication of
negative reports about them, They may directly bribe the
journalists or indirectly via public relations consultants and
senior journalists.

"It is part of a corrupt system involving numerous parties,"
said Wisnu, a mid-career business reporter from Bisnis Indonesia
newspaper.

Wisnu said the practice of giving "envelopes" to journalists
was not only done by local firms and state enterprises, but also
by foreign companies, which have been operating in Indonesia for
decades.

According to Wisnu, the envelope is usually given to
journalists during a press conference. It is included in the
press kit containing press releases and data.

Sometimes, news sources or their assistants ask to meet
journalists at certain places (hotels, offices, cafes), where
they will ask the journalists to stop publishing negative reports
about them or cancel plans to write such stories. In return, they
will provide the reporters with envelopes.

Suhartono, a senior business journalist with daily Kompas,
recalls how he was twice approached by tax officials who asked
him to stop writing negative reports about the agency in the
nation's largest newspaper, while offering envelopes.

"They offered me the amplop, saying that it was a token of
'friendship'. I rejected it, but they came again," said
Suhartono, adding that such a practice was common in the finance
ministry and agencies.

By their account, neither Suhartono nor Wisnu have ever
accepted an amplop, as they always seek to maintain integrity
amid rampant corruption in society. Indonesia is the world's
sixth most corrupt country, according to the Berlin-based
Transparency International.

The two reporters acknowledged that some journalists were
unable to refuse an envelope from news sources and even expected
it to supplement their low salaries.

Public relations (PR) consultants can also be blamed for the
flourishing practice of amplop giving.

They often offer cash or presents to attract journalists to
attend events or write good stories for their clients.

"Almost all PR consultants do this. They are doing it on
behalf of their clients with the aim of gaining maximum coverage
by the media," said a former public relations officer who refused
to be named.

The former officer, who worked in the PR business for about 10
years, said it was difficult to avoid as most journalists would
not come to an event held by a PR company for its client unless
they were assured that they would receive payment.

"It is a business matter. If you are idealistic and don't
provide bribes, journalists won't come to your event. If that
happens, your clients will move to your competitors, which are
willing to provide envelopes," said the consultant.